Friday, January 26, 2007

The Passing of Terry Elliott

A friend of the Warren Family, Terry (center in photo), died on January 18th.

Here's what my sister Maria had to say about her best friend:
Terry had all the qualities you'd want in a true friend: caring, giving, trustworthy, honest, sweet, loving and fun! She was always up for going somewhere and loved parties. She was more than a friend. She was family, and us Warrens' "8th Sister". She loved being a part of our family and we loved having her. Her laugh was hearty and she enjoyed even the simplest things. She lived very much "in the moment". She made work fun, and many of her co-worker/friends will miss being energized by her. This angel on earth came into our lives for a reason, and now she is at peace as an angel in heaven. We have pictures and memories to sustain us, and her spirit will live on with us forever.

January 11, 2007

Dear Terry,

I’m so sorry you aren’t feeling much better. I cherish our times together, laughing at David’s memorial BBQ, dancing a little and that beautiful walk we took in the Sacramento Park. We laughed when we swung on the swing and you talked about recovery. I still wish that for you. I so much enjoyed seeing you on Christmas Eve. It was the highlight of my trip and I realized why I quit work, why we made the trip and why it was so important for me to be with my family and to see YOU.

I am so saddened that I never got to say “bye” to my mom or to David. But what’s the purpose of saying “bye?” We live, we learn and we comfort each other. When God put us on this earth, he gives us one thing to do: Love One Another

And that is what you have taught me. Accepting a friend, and accepting another sister. Many people tried to “be in” our family and I was a bit hesitant, but not with you. When I saw you I felt like you were “one of us”. More then that, you are such a good friend to Maria. We all need friends. Tim is my friend, my daughters are growing up and they seem to be better friends now that they are older, but my GIRLFRIENDS mean so much to me.

In your acceptance to be with God, know that CANCER CANNOT Take away our love for you or you for us.

I love you!
“your little sister” -Anita

Read more letter to Terry at: Legacy.com

Monday, January 22, 2007

Niece Rayna Prepares for Motherhood

Here are photos taken today of me in my 9th month. According to our doctor Hayden is right on schedule to be born Feb. 6th but he could come any day. We are really excited!! The photo of me with the stroller is a new gift given today to Hayden by his Grandparents, "Nanna" (my Mom) and "Grandpappy" (my Dad). It was slightly complicated to assemble but we figured it out. I've noticed that on The Baby Story on TLC that almost all new parents can never figure out the stroller assembly. So thank you to my parents for such a practical and necessary gift. We will keep you all posted as the due date gets closer and closer!

Love Rayna, Geoff, and Baby Hayden
I wanted to share these photos and comments from my niece Rayna who know lives near Kansas City, MO. Rayna grew up in San Diego and is the daughter of my sister Susy and her husband Steve. I can recall visiting during her early years and later through her early teens in sunny Southern California. We used to take walks with the dogs, swim and see movies. They didn't have a TV so the usual fall backs weren't there. It was a house of reading, laughing and singing. Rayna has always been great at writing notes and thank you cards. I'll never forget the one that said, "Dear Uncel Rick." Heretofore I'm known by Steve as Uncel. I want to wish Rayna, Geoff and baby Hayden (great name) all the best as the big moment approaches and throughout your lives together. The Warren Family is in need of this joyous occasion after a tough year in '06. I look forward to seeing you all soon.



Saturday, January 20, 2007

Training Ride Season Kicks Off!

Today was my first ride of the 2007 season in preperation for AIDS/LifeCycle 6, which is from June 3-9, 2007. I'm quite excited to get back on the bike after only riding to work occassionally and also to see ol' friends I've met in my 2 previous years riding in ALC.

As one the Training Ride Leaders (TRL's) it is my responsibility to help others who are new to become familiar with riding in groups, learning the rules of the road, and to answer questions. Many will have fears and concerns that a veteran rider, with the right sense of patience, can help them with. In a nutshell, we volunteer our time (mostly on weekends from Jan-May) to help others prepare for "The Ride" in June. The ALC "family" really respects the new rider and is well aware of their concerns. Retaining these riders until June as a consequence allows the benefiting organizations to raise much needed funds for HIV and AIDS services. Last year we raised $6 million and this year the goal is $8 million.

What may go unnoticed at times is how by helping others we as Ride Leaders gain so much ourselves. "It is in giving that we receive."

It is also true that when training others, you are not really getting in your own training. When your focus is on the slower rider and answering questions it doesn't allow much space for getting your own training needs met. The trick here is to lead and train seperately but not at the same time. Although riding in general is good exercise regardless.

Today's ride was from Golden Gate Park to Mill Valley. We call it the "coffee run." Overall about 26 miles. Our turn-around point is the Coffee Depot in the town square which is an old stomping ground for my brother Kevin and I during our years living in MV.

Upon arrival I introduced myself to several new riders who were either on their first ALC training ride, or would in short-order be riding over the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time. Along the way I "led" a few young women who were simultaneously nervous, funny and full of questions. We hooted and hollered in the final leg, everyone happy with what they accomplished.

This was also my longest ride since ALC 5 last June and one I secretly was happy to get under my belt. For me the biggest challenge after 2 years is still being prepared in the mornings which includes eating a proper breakfast, filling water bottles, pumping tires and getting my bicycle clothing together (yes, lot's of spandex). However, I'm working on being more prepared the night before a ride.

So the training season is off and running, and soon I'll be actively fundrasing. In fact you can be the first to donate by going to my homepage at www.aidslifecycle.org/6829.

Check back here for updates and my journey to ALC 6 in June.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Wisdom from Mitch Albom

“There’s a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begins.”

-Mitch Albom from:
for one more day

A personal story:
Long before Mitch Albom became famous for "Tuesdays with Morrie" and later "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" he was a sports writer in Detroit (and still is) and had his own sports radio talk show. As many of you know, I was in that business off and on for about 15 years. Anyway, we used to be responsible for putting the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings on the air. Occassionally I'd get a call that Mitch was on the road with one of the teams and needed an engineer. I'd book him an engineer and get him on the air in short-order. I never met Mitch or even spoke with him. But when he became a best selling book author I put it all together and in some way like to think I had a hand in it. Now I read all his books, which have each become TV movies. Morrie was played by the late Jack Lemon, also a favorite and someone I HAVE met. His latest book, "for one more day" really struck a chord for me as it focuses on a man's relationship with his dead mother and what would happen if you had one more day.